Fred’s eye was quick, and his hand steady, and as the snake hung full length, pendent from the finger, he struck at it with the knife and severed it in two parts.  The tail fell to the ground and wound itself into knots, but the jaws did not relinquish their hold until the last drop of blood had drained from the trunk, when, with an expiring gasp, the teeth were unlocked, and the robber’s finger was free.

Stout-hearted as the fellow undoubtedly was, he no sooner saw that the reptile was dead than he fell to the ground in a fit.  Foam issued from his mouth, and by the light of the fire I saw that the poison was already performing its work, and that it was mixing with his blood and coursing through his veins with the speed of thought.  His face grew black and commenced swelling rapidly, and all the medical science in the world would have been unable to give him an hour’s life.

“Can you do any thing for him?” asked the chief, turning to us.

We replied in the negative.

“Then let him die where he is, and one of you take a torch and find the money.  Be careful; there may be more snakes in the grass.”

The men obeyed the heartless speech, and forsook the writhing wretch to look for the gold.

“There is nothing here!” they cried, in chorus.

“I put the bag there but a moment ago,” I replied.

“You lie!” roared the chief; “you are deceiving us, and think to escape with life, and pocket your stealing.  I tell you, if the money is not forthcoming, I’ll hang you like dogs.  Tie them up and lash them to a tree; I will give them a short time to think the matter over.”

The robbers threw themselves upon us and bound our arms, in spite of resistance, and with an expedition that proved they were experts in the matter; we were then fastened to trees, and taunted with our instrumentality in destroying the gangs of Darnley and Gulpin.

Luckily, Fred and myself were fastened to the same tree, so that we could condole with each other in our misfortunes.  This was the hardest situation in which we had ever been placed, and yet we felt no fear of immediate death, although we knew that an injudicious word would seal our doom without a moment’s delay.

“Where can the money have gone to?” whispered Fred.

“I know not,” I replied; “you saw me throw it amidst the bushes, and yet, now, it cannot be found.”

“One of the gang must have watched our movements, and, during the confusion, moved the bag to another place.”

As Fred ceased speaking, the dying man, who was lying at our feet, raised his head, and sought to get up; the effort was unsuccessful, and, with a groan of agony, he fell back and called in feeble tones for water.

“Water,” he cried; “for the love of mercy, give me a drink of water; I feel as though I was burning to death.  My mouth is parched, and my tongue swollen to an unnatural size.”